Remove ads

The 2016 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 64th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 33rd in Indianapolis. The Colts matched their 8–8 record from 2015, but would miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1997–1998. This season would also see the Colts get swept by the Houston Texans for the first time in franchise history. As a result, the Colts fired general manager Ryan Grigson after five seasons with the team. However, head coach Chuck Pagano would return the next year.[1]

Quick Facts Indianapolis Colts season, Owner ...
2016 Indianapolis Colts season
OwnerJim Irsay
General managerRyan Grigson
Head coachChuck Pagano
Home fieldLucas Oil Stadium
Results
Record8–8
Division place3rd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersWR T. Y. Hilton
P Pat McAfee
Uniform
Thumb
Close
Remove ads

Roster changes

Free agents

More information Position, Player ...
PositionPlayerTag2016 TeamNotes
TECoby FleenerUFANew Orleans SaintsSigned 5-year/$36 million deal
TEDwayne AllenUFAIndianapolis ColtsSigned 4-year/$29.4 million deal
TEJack DoyleRFAIndianapolis ColtsSigned 1-year/$1.67 million tender
QBCharlie WhitehurstUFACleveland Browns
QBMatt HasselbeckUFARetired
RBAhmad BradshawUFATBA
RBDan HerronRFABuffalo Bills
KAdam VinatieriUFAIndianapolis ColtsSigned 2-year/$6 million deal
GLance LouisUFATBA
SAkeem DavisERFAIndianapolis ColtsSigned 1-year/$600,000 tender
SDwight LoweryUFASan Diego ChargersSigned 3-year/$7.2 million deal
SColt AndersonUFABuffalo BillsSigned 1-year/$840,000 deal
CBGreg TolerUFAWashington RedskinsSigned 1-year/$840,000 deal
DEBilly WinnUFADenver Broncos
ILBJerrell FreemanUFAChicago BearsSigned 3-year/$12 million deal
Close
Player re-signed by the Colts Player signed with a different team Player retired

Undrafted free agents

Sources[2][3]

More information Position, Player ...
PositionPlayerCollegeNotes
Wide receiverDanny AnthropPurdue
Defensive linemanSterling BaileyGeorgia
Kicker/PunterDevon BellMississippi StateCamp Tryout
Offensive tackleIsiah CageWisconsin–Eau Claire
Nose tackleJulian CampenniConnecticutCamp tryout
LinebackerHenry ColeyVirginiaCamp tryout
CornerbackDaniel DavieNebraska
Long snapperHarrison ElliottAir ForceCamp tryout
Running backJosh FergusonIllinois
QuarterbackBlake FrohnapfelMassachusettsCamp tryout
QuarterbackEverett GolsonFlorida StateCamp tryout
Tight endDarion GriswoldArkansas
Offensive tackleDavante HarrisAppalachian State
Long snapperForrest HillAuburnCamp tryout
SafetyTigi HillHawaiiCamp tryout
Wide receiverReece HornIndianapolisCamp tryout
Offensive tackleAmadou KonteBenedictineCamp tryout
Wide receiverMarcus LeakMaryland
LinebackerCurt MaggittTennessee
SafetyStefan McClureCalifornia
Wide receiverMekale McKayCincinnati
PunterBrock MillerSouthern UtahCamp tryout
Tight endMike MillerTaylor
CornerbackChristopher MiltonGeorgia Tech
Offensive guardJamelle NaffTCUCamp Tryout
Outside linebackerElhadji NdiayeNebraska–KearneyCamp tryout
Outside linebackerEze ObioraSouthern IllinoisCamp tryout
QuarterbackAmmon OlsenSouthern UtahCamp tryout
CornerbackLeviticus PayneCincinnatiCamp tryout
LinebackerTerrance PlummerUCFCamp tryout
Running backChase PriceSan Diego StateCamp tryout
Offensive tackleAdam RedmondHarvard
Wide receiverChester RogersGrambling State
LinebackerAnthony SaraoUSC
Defensive linemanDelvon SimmonsUSC
Wide receiverTevaun SmithIowa
Wide receiverLogan SweetUCLACamp tryout
Defensive linemanJustin ThomasonNorth CarolinaCamp tryout
Outside LinebackerRon ThompsonSyracuse$15,000 bonus
CornerbackDarius WhiteCalifornia, Berkeley
CornerbackFrankie WilliamsPurdueCamp tryout, Signed
SafetyAndrew WilliamsonVanderbilt
Running backStorm WoodsOregon StateCamp tryout
Close
Remove ads

Draft

More information Round, Selection ...
Close

Notes

Remove ads

Staff

2016 Indianapolis Colts staff

Front office

  • Owner/CEO – Jim Irsay
  • General manager – Ryan Grigson
  • Vice president of football operations – Jimmy Raye III
  • Director of college scouting – T. J. McCreight
  • Senior player personnel scout - Todd Vasvari
  • Director of football administration – Mike Bluem
  • Director of pro personnel – Kevin Rogers Jr.
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Tarpening

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Darren Krein
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Richard Howell
  • Conditioning & performance analyst - Quadrian Banks


Final roster

2016 Indianapolis Colts roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad
  • 73 Pierce Burton T
  • 14 Marcus Leak WR
  • 85 Mike Miller TE (IR)

Reserve

  • 36 Andrew Williamson FS (IR)
Rookies in italics
53 active, 13 reserve, 10 practice squad
Remove ads

Schedule

Preseason

On February 16, the NFL announced that the Colts would play the Green Bay Packers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The game would have occurred on Sunday, August 7, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, but the game was cancelled due to field conditions. However, the two teams met during the regular season in Green Bay.

The remainder of the Colts' preseason opponents and schedule were later announced on April 7.

More information Week, Date ...
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
HOF August 7 vs. Green Bay Packers Cancelled due to field conditions
1 August 13 at Buffalo Bills W 19–18 1–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
2 August 20 Baltimore Ravens L 18–19 1–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 August 27 Philadelphia Eagles L 23–33 1–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
4 September 1 at Cincinnati Bengals W 13–10 2–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
Close

Regular season

More information Week, Date ...
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 11 Detroit Lions L 35–39 0–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2 September 18 at Denver Broncos L 20–34 0–2 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
3 September 25 San Diego Chargers W 26–22 1–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
4 October 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 27–30 1–3 Wembley Stadium (London, England) Recap
5 October 9 Chicago Bears W 29–23 2–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at Houston Texans L 23–26 (OT) 2–4 NRG Stadium Recap
7 October 23 at Tennessee Titans W 34–26 3–4 Nissan Stadium Recap
8 October 30 Kansas City Chiefs L 14–30 3–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
9 November 6 at Green Bay Packers W 31–26 4–5 Lambeau Field Recap
10 Bye
11 November 20 Tennessee Titans W 24–17 5–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
12 November 24 Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–28 5–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 5 at New York Jets W 41–10 6–6 MetLife Stadium Recap
14 December 11 Houston Texans L 17–22 6–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
15 December 18 at Minnesota Vikings W 34–6 7–7 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
16 December 24 at Oakland Raiders L 25–33 7–8 Oakland Alameda Coliseum Recap
17 January 1 Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–20 8–8 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
Close

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 14 71139
Colts 0 10 81735
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week One: Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Andrew Luck would march the Colts down the field and score with 39 seconds remaining, but the Lions were able to pull out the win on a field goal by Matt Prater with 4 seconds left. The Colts would try the lateral play on the ensuing kickoff, but it would result in a safety. With the loss, the Colts started 0–1.

Week 2: at Denver Broncos

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 3 7720
Broncos 3 10 31834
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Two: Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

It was only a 3–3 game at the end of 1 quarter before CJ Anderson scored a 4-yard touchdown to take a 7-point lead. The teams would trade field goals to end the half with a 13–6 advantage for the Broncos. Robert Turbin would score a touchdown from 5 yards out to tie the game at 13. But from there, it was basically all Denver. Indy was outscored 21-7 after Turbin's touchdown, including a pick six by Aqib Talib and a scoop and score by Shane Ray off a Von Miller strip sack of Andrew Luck. Brandon McManus would also kick two field goals in that stretch as the Broncos advanced to 2-0 and the Colts fell to 0–2.

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 13 6322
Colts 10 3 7626
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Although the Colts took an early lead in the first quarter, the Chargers kept the game close and a Josh Lambo field goal put them ahead midway through the fourth quarter; however, a 63-yard pass from Andrew Luck to T. Y. Hilton restored the Colts' advantage with less than a minute remaining, giving them their first win of the season. With the win, the Colts improved to 1–2.

Week 4: at Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL International Series

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 3 3 02127
Jaguars 7 10 6730
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Four: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

With the loss, the Colts fell to 1–3.

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 10 01023
Colts 3 13 31029
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Five: Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), mostly sunny — retractable roof open
  • Game attendance: 66,622
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator) and Erin Andrews (sideline reporter)
  • Recap, Gamebook

With the win, the Colts improved to 2–3.

Week 6: at Houston Texans

More information Quarter, OT ...
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Colts 3 10 010023
Texans 0 3 614326
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Six: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

The Colts led 23–9 with less than three minutes to play, but a comeback by the Texans forced overtime, where they would win on a field goal. With the loss, the Colts fell to 2–4.

Week 7: at Tennessee Titans

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 10 31434
Titans 6 7 01326
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Seven: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

With the win, the Colts improved to 3–4. They also picked up their 10th straight win over the Titans.

Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 3 14 7630
Colts 0 7 7014
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Eight: Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,417
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)
  • Recap, Gamebook

In a rematch of the 2013 wildcard game, the Chiefs blew out the Colts easily, 30–14. With the loss, the Colts fell to 3–5.

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 10 0731
Packers 10 0 31326
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Nine: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 78,437
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook

This was the Colts' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1988.

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 7 7317
Colts 14 7 0324
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,048
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)
  • Recap, Gamebook

With their 11th straight win over the Titans, the Colts improved to 5–5.

Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Thanksgiving Day game

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 14 7 0728
Colts 0 7 007
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Twelve: Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 66,583
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator) and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)
  • Recap, Gamebook

Quarterback Andrew Luck did not play due to a concussion, and his replacement Scott Tolzien was unable to prevent a 28–7 defeat, although he did throw a five-yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief early in the second quarter.

Week 13: at New York Jets

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 10 10741
Jets 0 3 0710
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Thirteen: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

With the win, the Colts evened their record at 6-6.

Week 14: vs. Houston Texans

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 10 3622
Colts 3 0 7717
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Fourteen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,250
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook

With the loss, the Colts fell to 6–7 and were swept by the Texans for the first time in franchise history.

Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 10 17 0734
Vikings 0 0 336
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Fifteen: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,820
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook

With the win, the Colts improved to 7-7 and remained just in the thick of the playoff race.

Week 16: at Oakland Raiders

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 71125
Raiders 0 19 14033
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

at Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 54,896
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook

With the loss, the Colts fell to 7–8 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the second year in a row.

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 10 7 0320
Colts 0 3 14724
Close
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close
Week Seventeen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: January 1, 2017
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 65,160
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook

The Jaguars took a 17–0 lead during the second quarter, but the Colts were able to pull it back to 17–17 as the game moved into its final period. The Jaguars regained the lead with a 41-yard Jason Myers field goal inside the two-minute warning, but Andrew Luck led the Colts on a 75-yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle with four seconds remaining. With the win, the Colts ended their year 8–8 and snapped their two-game losing streak against the Jaguars.

Remove ads

Standings

Division

More information AFC South, W ...
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Houston Texans 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 279 328 L1
Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 381 378 W1
Indianapolis Colts 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 411 392 W1
Jacksonville Jaguars 3 13 0 .188 2–4 2–10 318 400 L1
Close

Conference

More information #, Team ...
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 New England Patriots East 14 2 0 .875 5–1 11–1 .439 .424 W7
2[a] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 4 0 .750 6–0 9–3 .508 .479 W2
3 Pittsburgh Steelers North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .494 .423 W7
4[b] Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .502 .427 L1
Wild Cards
5[a] Oakland Raiders West 12 4 0 .750 3–3 9–3 .504 .443 L1
6 Miami Dolphins East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 .455 .341 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[b][c] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .465 .458 W1
8[c] Denver Broncos West 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .549 .455 W1
9[d] Baltimore Ravens North 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .498 .363 L2
10[d] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 .492 .406 W1
11 Buffalo Bills East 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 .482 .339 L2
12 Cincinnati Bengals North 6 9 1 .406 3–3 5–7 .521 .333 W1
13[e] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .518 .313 W1
14[e] San Diego Chargers West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .543 .513 L5
15 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 13 0 .188 2–4 2–10 .527 .417 L1
16 Cleveland Browns North 1 15 0 .063 0–6 1–11 .549 .313 L1
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. Kansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep.
  2. Houston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents.
  3. Tennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory.
  4. Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents.
  5. The New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents — the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis,
    Kansas City and Miami was 1–4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0–5.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Close

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.

Remove ads